Chum Salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) with Twisted Spine

Observation by Sharon Alexie:

It looked like the fish had scoliosis.

Observations shared via email to Erica Lujan

Jayde Ferguson, Fish Pathologist at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), writes:

This is a spinal deformity with lateral deviation (scoliosis), which is a non-specific lesion caused by a myriad of factors, such as genetic, infectious, traumatic, neoplastic, dietary, and environment.

Comments from LEO Editors:

It is hard to say what exactly caused the curvature in the spine of this salmon in particular. ADF&G maintains a handbook of Diseases of Wild and Cultured Fishes in Alaska and in it, they describe common organ and tissue anomolies that are not caused by infectious disease or pollution. These anomalies include spinal curvature, among others, and may be related to changes in the environment or in water quality. Erica Lujan